How much interest will the Obama administration have in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union region?
There are many problems pressing on the United States, particularly in the Middle East. But relations with Russia are very important, as is continuing the relatively productive relationship with China, the relationship with India, and improving relations with Europe. I don’t think that Central and Eastern Europe will either gain or lose very much from an Obama administration. The main question I think is for countries like Poland and the Czech Republic that have enjoyed very favourable relationships with the United States: will their somewhat privileged positions weaken under an Obama administration? Although these countries are concerned about US-Russian relations, I think that establishing a more productive US relationship with Russia–which the Obama administration will want to do–does not have to mean sacrificing good relationships with Central Europe. But might it entail a downplaying of the rhetoric about democracy in Russia? The United States didn’t really push very hard on democ
